NATIONAL DEFENCE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XVII, Issue 5880, 7 April 1920, Page 3

NATIONAL DEFENCE

IMPORTANT LEAGUE FORMED

GENERAL RUSSELL PRESIDENT

NATURE OF THE SCHEME

(Special to the Daily Telegraph.) WELLINGTON, this flay. It is understood that as the result of ! a movement that has been afoot in Wei- ’ liugton for some months past, the old : National Defence League of New Zea>J land, which became moribund some eight i or nine years ago as the result of the . introduction of universal defensive train- , ing, has been revived and placed on a permanent fooling with the idea of educating the public on sound lines of defence. The promoters, while strongly opposed to the introduction of any spirit ot aggressive militarism in this country, and likewise to the country being committedtoany extravagant proposals, are of opinion that there is every need for the Dominion to maintain a sound system of defence, so that in the event of any grave ciisis developing in the immediate or distant future, New Zealand will not be incapable of protecting herself. It is stated that the league was definitely formed in Wellington some days ago, and has elected as iis President Major - General Bir A, H. Russell, K.C.8., K.C.M.G., who commanded the New Zealand Division in France, and has since reverted to civilian life. The league’s platform, it is asserted, contains some highly interesting and novel proposals, which, it is held, will strongly commend themselves to the people of New Zealand. It is expected that a full announcement of the league’s aims and objects will be made during the next few days.